Previously on Survivor. . . Reynold found another hidden immunity idol, and Brandon’s bipolarness (is that a word?) got him sent home. I think that pretty much sums it up.
Immediately following Brandon’s departure, the Bikal tribe tries to figure out what the hell just happened. Corinne is offended that no one stood up for her and Phillip when Brandon decided to go on a rampage. Honestly, in a case such as that, I’m not sure there really is anything one could do. It’s not like they are on the streets. They can’t say or do what they really want to do, so what’s the point? I think it was in everyone’s best interest to allow Brandon to bow out (un)gracefully.
Phillip masterminds a plot to get rid of Corinne. He believes that everyone is on board because she is ego-driven. She will do whatever necessary to launch herself further into the game. Isn’t this what you’re supposed to do, Phillip? Anyway, Brenda once again has absolutely nothing to say. Man, is she playing a different game this time around!? I still love her, even though we never hear her talk.
So, the Gota tribe receives treemail. Matt makes a comment about how he hopes it has something to do with food. Yeah, well, your tribe sucks, and it’s not like you have any chance at winning a challenge anyway. Good luck, though. Reynold dramatizes how pertinent it is that his tribe wins the upcoming immunity challenge. He knows that it will probably be Eddie getting sent home if they lose, since he has the immunity idol.
The two tribes arrive at the reward challenge and Probst shocks us with a twist. The two tribes are going to switch up! I think I called this a week or two ago, by the way. The new Gota is Eddie, Reynold, Andrea, Sherri, Malcolm, Brenda and Erik. The new Bikal consists of Matt, Michael, Julia, Corinne, Phillip, Cochran, and Dawn. At this point in the game, there are only two, possibly three, more tribals until the merge. I expect the favorites to outnumber the fans on the Gota tribe, and the fans to outnumber the favorites on the Bikal tribe. However, they have been spending a lot of time focusing on Corinne, so I would not be surprised to see her go home tonight, even though she should be in the majority.
As soon as the new Gota tribe hits the beach, Eddie and Reynold try to convince Erik and Malcolm that Sherri is the one who needs to go. Sherri, on the other hand, tries to convince Andrea and Brenda that Reynold needs to go. Well, Reynold IS more dangerous than Sherri is, unless she weasels her way into the final three. That would be blasphemous.
Back at the new Bikal camp, Phillip is trying to convince Julia that it would be in her best interest to align with him. He fills her pretty little head with everything that she wants and needs to hear in order to feel secure. He mentions that he will try to keep her around until at least the merge so she will have an opportunity to make a big move. Phillip really is playing a Boston Rob-esque game at this point. He is trying to cover all of his bases, and I absolutely love him for it. I would love to see him win this entire thing.
There is a reason why I like Malcolm. He is the ultimate “bro.” He doesn’t allow himself to get “pussy-whipped” in the game of Survivor. He allows people to believe what they want to believe, but he always knows what is best for him. I would love to play this game with him. I think we’d be BFFs. Malcolm, what do ya say? Just kidding. But Seriously. Haha.
At this week’s immunity challenge, two members from each tribe must roll a tribe-colored crate back to the base. The first tribe to complete a puzzle/staircase that says “Fans vs. Favorites” wins immunity and will not make the dreaded trek back to tribal council. I just want the favorites to win at this point. The challenge is a flashback to Redemption Island when Boston Rob and Russell were duking it out. The only difference is that we were actually excited about the outcome. The Gota tribe ended up lapping the Bikal tribe, and Phillip was forced to perform in back-to-back legs of the race. Even Probst thinks this is a strange strategy. The lack of physical or strategic gameplay in this challenge allowed Gota to win their first immunity as a new tribe. Well, according to Probst, it appeared that the Bikal tribe was on medication due to how slowly they were moving in the challenge. This cracked me up! I did feel bad for Dawn. She was devastated after the loss, which was evident by the fact that she was crying. It’s okay, Dawn, you won’t be going home anytime soon.
Upon returning from the immunity challenge, Phillip decides to console the newly formed Bikal tribe about how bad they suck. He gives them a pep talk about how they will win next time, the better team won this time, blah blah blah. On the down low, however, he informs the men that he wants to get rid of the weakest links, which would be the women – - of course. Honestly, at this point in the game, they are ridiculously close to the merge. It would be in his best interest to wipe out the fans, so the favorites can have majority going into the merge.
Apparently Matt has an epiphany. He realizes that he may have to kiss some ass if he wants to make it to the merge. Kiss ass, bro, kiss ass! A true fan of the game understands that you will do whatever necessary in order to make it to the next stage of the game. I would undoubtedly turn on my own in order to make it to the merge. If he decides to do this, then that means that Julia is going home tonight. Unfortunately for her, she never got her fifteen minutes of fame. I can’t recall anything significant that she said this entire time.
Cochran thinks that it would be wise to split up the unlikely duo of Matt and Michael. He thinks that Matt reeks of desperation at this point and would do anything to stay in the game. Cochran, that’s just his beard. I definitely agree with Cochran’s decision to get rid of Matt. He knows that the favorites of the tribe will make it to the merge. It is the best possible decision to break up that twosome now before they have an opportunity to do some damage together post-merge. Corinne, why the hell would you make a comment that you would love to replace at least three people in your own alliance? You will be the first favorite of the newly formed Bikal tribe to go. You just signed your death sentence, sweetheart. Dawn ends up receiving a vote, Julia receives two votes, and Matt gets four votes to secure his death in the game. Yay, Corinne, your gay was spared this time around! At least Julia will have an opportunity to get her fifteen minutes of fame before her torch gets snuffed. By the way, I just wanted to say how much hotter Dawn is this season. She is a MILF, for sure. Dawn, you got it going on, girl!
Until next time, feel free to follow me on Twitter. I may just follow you back! 
Eliminated: Matt Bischoff, the 38-year-old BMX Bike Salesman from Cincinnatti, Ohio
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